Ensemble playing is the core of Children's Orchestra Society; it fosters a valuable work ethic plus a healthy balance of team spirit and pride in personal achievement. At COS, students get to:

Practice weekly in one or more youth orchestras (listed below)
Meet the challenge of playing in a small chamber music ensemble
Attend musicianship class to learn ear-training, solfege, music history
Perform in recitals and orchestral concerts several times a year
Interact with instructors who are knowledgeable, experienced, caring and committed to the student's progress
Attend New York Philharmonic concerts together
Participate in Master Classes conducted by eminent professional musicians

Youth Orchestras for Students of All Ages

With several levels of orchestral groups, students can work toward progressively more demanding music repertoire, limited only by their motivation:

With the exception of the Elite String Ensemble, all ensembles rehearse on Saturdays.

The Rewards of Perseverance

Advanced students at COS often set high goals for themselves - as instrumental majors or as contestants in the annual Discovery Competition.

The Young Symphonic Ensemble has performed in many of New York's major concert halls. The students' diligence and artistry have taken them to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Town Hall, Tilles Center, LeFrak Hall and Colden Center at Queens College, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. YSE has also toured to major U.S. cities such as Boston, Denver, St. Louis, Washington D.C., and Hartford. International tours by YSE include the Far East, Canada, and the U.K. with performances in London and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Admission is by audition. Please see Admission for information about applying to the Children's Orchestra Society, or call our office at (516) 869-9696.